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Need all your Help

Craigh

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I would never even think about asking if I wasn't stretched so thin. But I am going to need a little help getting out to Iowa for animal rescue cause on the floods. I have a friend from RZ now seeing if she can get me a buddy pass from her airline. So that will save some cash just with mortgage, House bills. taxes and animal care. I am stretched so thin. There is dire need for experience fema certified rescuers. I have all the certifications to go... Also have lots of experience with flood response with the 6 months I spent in New Orleans.



Adult, Child and Infant CPR
Standard First AID
FEMA IS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System
FEMA IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
FEMA IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
FEMA IS-800 National Response Plan (NRP), An Introduction

All I really need is enough for the plane ticket and food while I will be there. I can set up a tent out the staging grounds . Only think that might cost is a rental van but at this point don't think I will be needing one. As most of the rescues are going to be boat rescues. I might stay a while after the water resends for humane trapping. The animals need are help... If I have any money left over I will donate it to the organizations that will be there for supplys and medical care for the animals. If you have any further questions you can email me directly at [email protected]. If you would also like to donate 5, 10, 20 dollars to you can at pay pal at the same address..... I also will keep everyone updated every chance I get to get online if I can...

Wish me luck !!!!

Craig Hill
 
I should find out some time today how much the plane ticket will cost and I will post...
 
If it is a disaster of that magnitude and FEMA trained people are needed that badly, perhaps the state or FEMA can supply some funds, it is worth a call.
Also call the airlines and see what they might be able to do for you.
 
lucille said:
If it is a disaster of that magnitude and FEMA trained people are needed that badly, perhaps the state or FEMA can supply some funds, it is worth a call.
Also call the airlines and see what they might be able to do for you.

I been in contact with everyone that I have got there number my main goal right now is just to get a plain ticket so I can confirm with Misha Goodman she is the Iowa government contact. That is I think in charge at the Johnson county fair grounds. I already been warned there is no reimbursements so we need to keep this in mind.. My fiend from RZ said she could get me a buddy pass so I would only need to pay taxes and fees. I don't think I will need much just a few hundred and I can rough it from there. I am writing down all the emails from the pay pal account as I plan on paying everyone back when I get home and some money in the bank... So far I am up to $60 every little bit helps...

Craig
 
Ok I got a flight but its not in till Tuesday of next week ... So that works out gives me enough time to get up enough to stay longer... I can change the return flight till when ever I want I have a year... Just have to pay the fees which is around 150 to 200 :) So any you can help with to sponsor even when I am down there doing the rescues would be greatly appreciated.

Craig

I have you leaving on next Tuesday, the 24th of June
North West flight 658 from Newark (ewr) to Detroit (dtw) at 6:00am to 7:47am
North West flight 2954 from dtw to Cedar Rapids (cid) 8:56 am to 9:30am
The return I have now for the 20august
North West 2759 cidmsp (minniapolis) 9:03am to 10:28am
North West 554 mspewr 12:55pm to 4:37pm
 
lucille said:
FEMA trained people

Just wanted clarify I am not trained from fema or working with fema just after Katrina animal rescuers need to have 4 different fema certificates from course taken so we can work in disasters areas...
 
Just wanted to thank the people who already donate what they could, any little bit helps... I already almost have enough to cover the plane ticket .. There should be food for rescuers or would hope so ... Thanks I really apreicate it.. I will taking my camera with me to documenrt some of the rescues so I will post pics when I get back.. Let pray its really not hard and going to be hard on the pets of Iowa ..

My return flight is for the 20th of Aug but I already know I am going to have to switch the flight to stay longer.. My family is going to stay at my house to watch the kids and zoo for me while I am gone.. Also would like to thank Edel she is from RZ for helping me get the great price of the ticket with out her I probably would of been able to help... Thanks :)

Craig
 
Craig,
Just wanted to say How proud of You I am. You are doing what all of us Animal Lovers wish we could do....Hands On Help for the animals in need. I wish I had a million bucks to send You for this endeavor.
Rayna
 
Thanks for the kind word Rayna ,
Just wanted to update what the donations will be going to.

Plane ticket : $200 already have enough for that
Supplies, full weighters, etc : about $200 hoping my local family owned sporting good store will give me at least an employes discount .
Food and stuff while there : about $200
Rental van for trapping phase of rescue : have no clue but know its not going to be cheap ..
If you would like to help like I said any little bit helps you can pay through paypal directly to my email [email protected]
I am also going to need you all to keep all the animal and rapid responders in your thoughts and prayers

Craig Hill
 
Craig, I have contacts with some rescues here in Iowa, please let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

I know Mischa is working hard to keep all of the animals safe, at least Iowa City has done an excellent job in keeping a safe shelter open for pets at the fairgrounds, so people haven't had to leave their pets behind for the most part....people have been more than generous donating the supplies needed for the shelter....and the waters are receding, YAY!!!
 
Yes they have Cathy it is unbelievable the difference between Louisiana government and Iowa such caring people. I know there going to float with the river setting up different staging grounds I might make it towards the end of Johnson county fairgrounds or just start at the one there putting up now at Washington county fairgrounds. will let you know if there's anything you can do :) Thanks

Craig
 
Sorry for bumping my own thread so much but wanted to post what the goal for the fund raiser is...
The goal to reach is $1500 that includes everything and the van rental (it might be a lot more cause I might need it for a month + ) As of today from everyones generous donations its is up to $263 getting there ..... Will keep everyone updated, even if it is not reached I will still be leaving on Tuesday the 24 th
 
Central PA Reptile Expo has your back!

Craig, I put up the page for your cause on the website for the show. As we had discussed, the website is getting tons of traffic, and I am hoping people will see it that may not frequent the forums and be able to help out. I also hope that it helps seeing that you have support from the promoters of a show, but who knows. I am making sure this is up on all the forums you have posted on, and a few I am involved with too.
So everyone, spread the link around to friends, and others you know that do not frequent the forums! Let's make sure that not only does Craig get out there, but that the poor guy can EAT while he is there!

http://pareptileexpo.kordekskritters.com/craigsmission.html

Kelly Kordek
 
Thanks Kelly , Just wanted to update everyone the fund is up to $462 still way short of goal. I ticketed my confirmation and picked up most supplies I would need except a good pair of full waders still looking for a pair that can with stand a lot of abuse. I put that all on my credit card so the fund will go towards a van rental ... Keep all the residents of Iowa , Missouri , and there pets in your thoughts and prayers ...
 
Update : as on right now the fund is $528 still way short of the goal I am trying to reach for the rental before I fly out Tuesday. Just cause with the levees in Missouri being breached and the size of the floods in Iowa. I am going to need to be mobil and flexible on being able to get to these locations .... Thanks again everyone for everything :)
 
PLEASE HELP CRAIG GET TO IOWA!!!

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the Fauna boards, but have been hanging around RG for a while now. My name's Jenn Bellew, and I do reptile rescue and rehabillitation in Southern California. If you'd like to check my credibility before you read what I have to say, go here: http://reptilegeeks.com/Dragon_Sanctuary http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/dragon_sanctuary http://www.youtube.com/user/dragonsanctuary

I'm here to ask you all to PLEASE help Craig to get to Iowa for the disaster relief. They need certified people out there very badly. This guy is credible; I've seen what he's done with rescues and he's even helped me significantly in one of my own. Wether it's gear or cash, he needs them both, so please help him so he can go and help others! I'm behind him 120%.

--Jenn 'Dragon' Bellew, Dragon Sanctuary Reptile Rescue.
 
I am going crazy just got off the phone with Kinship circle and they need me there tomorrow really bad in Oakville calls of stranded animals in the flood waters are coming in like crazy and best friends team left to go to Burlington ... The really needed experience fema certified people. I am also needed in Burlington god this wait is going to take a few years off.... Anxiety level is insane right now .....
 
Almost one day left before I leave ... Sorry I haven’t been on but I had Stephs b-day pool party her B-day is tomorrow..
Just wanted to thank everyone who is helping out the fund is up to $579 way short for the rental but I can figure something out. I put most of the supplies on my credit card have a few odds and ends to pic up Monday... But wish me luck I will post again tomorrow before I leave will be back if all goes well Aug 20....
 
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